Paddle the Punkhorn Ponds, Brewster

We paddled here a few weeks ago and it was just beautiful. We explored 2 of the 3 ponds and they are huge. Almost no houses. The launch is really easy and parking is plentiful.

If you decide to take a walk after the paddle, I believe that Punkhorn usually has the greatest deer tick density on the Cape.

Someone who knows much better than I wrote the following description:

"Three interconnected lakes form the headwaters of the Stony Brook/ Paines Creek watershed. The Town of Brewster owns much of the surrounding area, which preserves the pristine lake shorelines. We always see the nesting green heron and belted kingfishers. Black-crowned herons roost here and ospreys are always out fishing. Most of our native trees and shrubs are found here as well, and it is a paradise for sunning painted turtles."

It is extremely difficult to find a location that combines (1) parking for a group, with no sticker required after June 15 and (2) a beautiful area to paddle, while not seeing many houses. This new location is perfect.

DIRECTIONS: Heading west on 6A in Brewster, pass Tubman on your left, then take a left fork OFF 6A onto Stoney Brook. Pass Paines Creek Rd, then take left onto Run Hill. Drive past the last house and see parking lot on the left.

Heading east on 6A, take right on Stoney Brook Rd. Pass Setucket/Satucket that comes in on your right.. take the next right onto Run Hill Rd. Drive to parking lot on left.

The parking lot on the left, with split rail fencing around it, is just past the last house on the road. DRIVE PAST THE PARKING LOT a very short distance to find the kayak launch on the right. If there are no or few cars near the launch, youi can drive down and turn around....or back down the access road to the pond. There is a shed and rental kayaks there. Unload your kayak and park your car in the parking lot. Be in the water and ready to paddle at 10:00.